kantian ethics Flashcards
Autonomy.
Belief we are self-directed beings making our own free choices.
Heteronymous lives.
Lives which are not fully our own due to a lack of courage or uncultivated mind.
Sapere aude.
Dare to be wise.
Duty.
Doing what we ought to do.
Deontological ethics.
Ethical systems which ignores outcomes to focus on the act itself.
What does Kant use to demonstrate ‘apparent’ good and ‘real’ good.
Shopkeepers.
Hypothetical imperative.
What we must to do achieve goals; ‘…if…then…’.
Categorical imperative.
What our reason teaches us must always be done.
First form of the categorical imperative.
Act only on maxims which we could apply universally.
Second form of the categorical imperative.
Act to treat all people as an ends and never as a means.
Third form of the categorical imperative.
Act to treat everyone as an end in the kingdom of ends.
Criticism of the first form of the categorical imperative.
Could permit harm, for example being honest to someone could hurt their feelings.
Kant’s argument for God.
- We are free.
- We are immortal.
- God exists to guarantee both of these things.
Summum bonum.
Highest good, which ought to be achieved even if it is in an afterlife.
Criticism of Kant’s summum bonum.
Assuming the universe is ultimatley rational and justice will necessarily be issues.
Objections to Kant.
- Outcomes not considered.
- Multiple maxims may clash.
- Depends on rationality alone.
- Acting simply because we see it as our duty may not be considered a moral reason.
